Mother’s Day and Women Talks and Events Coming Up in NYC

By Alison Durkee

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and whether you’re getting out with Mom to celebrate or want to spend the occasion honoring strong women in general, NYC has you covered. Figure out your Mother’s Day plans—or keep the holiday going all month long—with these upcoming talks and events.

The New York Botanical Garden will host its annual Mother’s Day Garden Party on May 12 and 13, complete with live music, games, and more, while the Queens Botanical Garden will host a special brunch in their garden on May 13. The Whitney Museum will host its own Mother’s Day brunch, along with a private before-hours tour. Those looking for something beyond brunch to do on May 13 can check out a Mother’s Day-themed Scavenger Hunt, or take part in cookingworkshopswith the kids. Beyond the typical Mother’s Day offerings, spend your May 13 checking out the Guggenheim Museum’s special family-friendly Second Sunday tour, or head out to Brooklyn to discover the history of women’s contributions to the whiskey industry on a special tour and tasting.

Several talks and performances this May will celebrate motherhood specifically—the good and the bad. Authors Kimberly Harrington and Kate Rope will discuss Motherhood: The Good, Hard, and Hilarious at an event on May 7, in which they’ll share from their new books about motherhood and take part in a signing and Q&A. Astoria space Q.E.D. will mark Mothers Day with Mother May I?, an evening of mother-centric comedy, as well as with Wicked Mothers, a talk delving into the darker side of the holiday.

Mother’s Day is also a time to think about children and families in general. The Rubin Museum will host a session on mindful family growthMay 13, which will teach participants how to apply mindfulness to their family interactions. On May 12, head out to Nassau County to see the world through children’s eyes at Hope Holds No Borders, a display of artwork from children who are U.S. citizens and refugees in the U.S. and Turkey that allowed them to reach out to each other and portray universal themes.

Mothers are some of the strongest women out there, and Mother’s Day also provides an opportunity to delve into some of the issues that women face. Get a variety of perspectives on feminism this May at a screening and discussion delving into the controversial pro-life feminist movement on May 3, or hear from Women’s March leader and activist Linda Sansour and artist Chitra Ganesh (above) in a discussion on the future of feminismMay 9. Those wanting to learn more about women’s health can head to a session on Women and MedicineMay 24, which will explore the history of women’s health issues, along with women’s medicine and midwifery. On May 20, celebrate women’s right to vote with a day-long symposium marking the centennial of women’s suffrage in New York, featuring panel discussions that highlight the achievements of New York’s women both past and present.

This May is also a time to celebrate women in the arts. Barnard College will host a free concert celebrating women and musicMay 12, featuring up-and-coming women artists who are currently attending or have graduated from NYC universities. Female choreographers, meanwhile, will take the spotlight from May 17-19 at New York Live Arts. The program will debut three works about women’s empowerment from female-led companies Ariel Rivka Dance, Amy Marshall Dance Company and choreographer/dancer Chanel DaSilva. Musical theatre lovers can also hear from some of the industry’s top women this May, as famed lyricist Lynn Ahrens hosts a program celebrating her work at the 92nd Street Y (May 5-7) and legendary dancer and star Chita Rivera discusses her illustrious life and career in a conversation on May 7.